Mathieu Babillot to start for Castres Olympique against Pau

Mathieu Babillot will make his first Top 14 start of the season for Castres Olympique this Saturday against Section Paloise. The 33-year-old flanker, who recently lost the team captaincy to Baptiste Delaporte, has seen significantly reduced playing time, appearing in only two matches for approximately 50 minutes so far this season.

Coach Xavier Sadourny confirmed Babillot’s inclusion in the starting XV for the away match in Pau. Babillot expressed a desire to bring “freshness and enthusiasm” to a squad still recovering from a recent defeat against Toulouse. His return comes at a critical time for Castres, which has lost three of its first five matches and faces several player absences, including Hamish Watson, Kyllian Ringuet, and Abraham Papali'i.